TAIWAN: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 in magnitude struck southern Taiwan early on Tuesday, (January 21, 2025), injuring 27 people and causing structural damage in several areas. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to assist those trapped in collapsed buildings and elevators.

The earthquake, which occurred at 12:17 a.m., was centered 38 kilometers (24 miles) southeast of Chiayi County Hall at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the tremor at a slightly lower magnitude of 6.

Reports of minor to moderate damage emerged from the cities of Chiayi and Tainan. Taiwan’s fire department confirmed that 27 individuals were taken to hospitals with minor injuries. Among the injured were six people, including a one-month-old baby, who were rescued from a collapsed house in Tainan's Nanxi district.

Additionally, the Zhuwei Bridge, located on a provincial highway, sustained damage during the quake. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported. Rescuers managed to free two people in Tainan and one person in Chiayi city who had been trapped in elevators, none of whom suffered any injuries.

In Chiayi, the tremor triggered a fire at a printing factory, but firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, and no injuries were reported.

This recent quake comes after a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Hualien in April, claiming at least 13 lives and injuring over 1,000. Taiwan, situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is no stranger to seismic activity, as the region frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location on active fault lines.

Taiwan experiences frequent earthquakes due to its position at the meeting point of two tectonic plates along the Pacific Ring of Fire, considered the world's most active seismic zone, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The island faced its last major earthquake in April 2024, when a powerful 7.4-magnitude quake struck, marking the strongest tremor in 25 years. This devastating event claimed at least 17 lives, caused landslides, and left buildings around Hualien severely damaged.

Before this, Taiwan's most significant earthquake occurred in 1999, registering a magnitude of 7.6. Tragically, it resulted in the deaths of approximately 2,400 people, making it the deadliest natural disaster in the island's history.

Since then, Taiwan has taken significant steps to strengthen its resilience against earthquakes. The government has revised building regulations, mandating the use of advanced quake-resistant construction techniques. These include reinforced steel structures designed to allow buildings to sway safely during ground movements.

As a global leader in technology, Taiwan has also developed a sophisticated earthquake early warning system. This system provides public alerts within seconds of detecting seismic activity. Over the years, it has been improved with innovations like smartphone integration and high-speed data networks, ensuring that even remote areas receive timely warnings.